Farmington Hills, Michigan · Est. 1985

Behind every dancer is a teacher who believed first.

Ages 3 to adult · Classes run September through June

Our studio · Since 1985

Four decades of first pliés. One studio, still growing.

Since 1985, this Farmington Hills studio has been where local kids learn their first plié and grow into confident dancers and confident people. We teach ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, and acro for ages 3 through adult. Four decades of families have called it home, and that will not change.

Today the studio is led by owner and director Barbara Bouchard, “Miss BeBe,” the Michigan Dance Council’s 2025 Private Sector Educator of the Year. Founder Barbara Hatch, “Miss Barb” to generations of dancers, built the studio and its traditions. Our faculty are teachers families know by name. Our dance family runs from tiny dancers taking their first steps to company dancers preparing their Nutcracker solos, and we’d love to welcome yours.

8National Titleswon by our Performing Company — see the nights ↓

2025Educator of the YearMichigan Dance Council · Private Sector

40Years of Dancein Farmington Hills, since 1985

Programs

A place for every dancer, ages 3 to adult.

Three tracks, nine styles — browse every class & time →

Young Dancers

ages 3–9

First steps in movement and music — creative pre-ballet for our tiniest dancers, plus ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop for ages 5–9.

Dancers ages 10 to 18 in flowing costumes holding extensions in a lyrical pose

Ages 10–18

all levels welcome

Leveled classes across every style, with ballet as the foundation — built to challenge, inspire, and keep dancers loving every step.

Performing Company

by audition

Our award-winning performance and competition track — eight national titles and counting — from our Nutcracker to the national stage.

Styles we teach Ballet Pointe Tap Jazz Hip-Hop Lyrical & Contemporary Tiny Dancers

Grown-ups dance here too — adult ballet, tap and hip-hop on Wednesday nights. See adult classes →

Championship nights

Eight national titles — these are the nights.

Groove, Energy, Inferno, Beyond the Stars, Empire, and Edge national finals, 2016–2026 — including our newest championship, won this season. Confetti, big checks, and a team that keeps earning them.

Dancers celebrating on stage with a national champion check, trophy, and finals banner — 01Groove Nationals · Myrtle Beach · 2016

The team gathered on stage with the national tour winner check and trophy — 02Groove Nationals · 2017

Dancers being interviewed on stage holding the grand showcase winner check and trophy — 03Energy Nationals · Grand Showcase

The team celebrating with the 2019 grand showcase winner check and trophies held high — 04Energy Nationals · 2019

The company hoisting the Inferno Nationals grand champions trophy overhead with the Unstoppable banner — 05Inferno Nationals · Grand Champions · 2021

Dancers raising a national finals trophy with the award check and a stack of trophies — 06Beyond the Stars · 2022

The whole team on stage with trophies, Top 10 awards, and the Empire Dance Challenge winner check — 07Empire Dance Challenge Nationals · 2025

Dancers with Miss BeBe beside the first place trophy at Edge nationals, confetti on the stage — 08Edge Nationals · 2026 · our newest title

“Work hard,
and be kind.”— the studio way

A large group of Barbara’s Academy dancers gathered together in matching shirts — Our studio family

Our Team · Led by Miss BeBe

Meet Barbara Bouchard “Miss BeBe”

Dancing since she was three and trained in every style she could find (Scottish Highland included), she's been part of this studio since 2001: first as a teacher, then as founder, director, and choreographer of its Performing Company — and today as the studio's owner.

Under Miss BeBe's direction the company has earned eight national titles, and in 2025 the Michigan Dance Council named her its Private Sector Educator of the Year. With Miss Catherine, Mr. Bill, Miss Ava, and Miss Meredith teaching and Miss Kim running the office, classes start with a strong ballet foundation — and the proof is in where our students have landed.

Radio City RockettesDetroit LionsIndianapolis Colts Big Ten dance teams

Meet our alumni →

Meet the faculty

The team behind every class.

Miss BeBe

Owner & Director

Miss Catherine

Instructor

Mr. Bill

Instructor

Miss Ava

Instructor

Miss Meredith

Instructor

Miss Kim

Office Manager

The Whole Team

Barbara’s Academy of Dance

Our dance family

One studio. Generations of dancers.

The full Barbara’s Academy of Dance company, dozens of dancers of all ages posed together

From first recitals to final solos, our dancers grow up here — together. Friendships, discipline, and a love of dance that lasts long after the year-end recital bows.

Join us this fall

From our families

What parents tell us.

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The instruction and attention to detail Ms. Bebe provides is unmatched. My daughters both learned not only exceptional dance technique, but also confidence and resilience.

Laura S. · Barbara’s Academy family for 23 years · Google review

Miss Bebe is an incredible teacher, coach, and mentor. I spent 15 years dancing here, and still feel connected to the community years after graduating. This studio shaped me as a technical dancer, but also shaped me into a confident and hardworking individual.

Grace T. · Barbara’s Academy dancer for 15 years · Google review

Our daughter has grown tremendously as part of the performing company. It’s a great studio for recreation and competition. All the teachers are great!

Kathryn F. · company family · Google review

Have a story like these? Review us on Google

Studio life

Moments from our stage.

Senior dancers in black and white costumes in a dynamic contemporary pose — Contemporary

Dancers in soft yellow dresses posed in a close group formation — Lyrical

Junior dancers in bright pink costumes in a confident jazz formation — Jazz

View the full gallery →

The 2026–27 season is underway.

Classes run September through June, finishing with our year-end recital, the night every dancer works toward all season long. It's not too late to join. New students are always welcome, no experience is needed, and we'll help you find the right class.

NowRegistration open

Dec 21 – Jan 3Holiday break

JuneYear-end recital

See the full season calendar →

Dancer in a flowing white dress in arabesque against a soft blue backdrop

Questions parents ask

Everything you need to know before day one.

How old does my dancer need to be to start?

We welcome dancers from age 3 in our Young Dancers classes, with leveled classes in every style through age 18.

When does the dance season run?

September through June, finishing with our year-end recital — the night every dancer works toward all season.

How do I register?

Through our online registration portal in a few minutes. Not sure which class fits? Call or email and we'll help you find the right one.

What does my dancer need for the first class?

We send everything before day one — dress code, shoes, and where to go. No need to buy anything before you hear from us.

Do you offer competitive dance?

Yes — our audition-based Performing Company has won eight national titles and performs everywhere from our Nutcracker to the national stage.

From the studio, this week

Life at Barbara’s Academy, as it happens.

@barbarasacademyofdance

Featured on Instagram

See our dancers in motion.

Classes, rehearsals, and performances — the best way to feel what Barbara’s Academy is like is to watch. Follow along for new videos every week.

Watch on Instagram

The team celebrating a national championship win

it starts with a first class

Bring us your dancer. We'll believe first.

Join a Farmington Hills tradition, four decades strong.